Sen. Pam Roach announces intent to run for seventh term

Pam Roach, R-Auburn, announced she will be seeking a seventh term representing the 31st District in the state Senate.

"I want to continue my work to protect taxpayers, defend constitutional liberties and boost Washington's economic recovery," Roach said in a release. "The concerns of the people are my priorities."

Roach won her first state senate election in 1990, beating Mike Todd by 345 votes, and most recently beat Matt Richardson in 2010, getting 67 percent of the votes cast.

"I want to continue to work with Buckley residents to more firmly establish Rainier School, which is under threat of closure," her release continued. "I want to secure additional funding for the new Sumner YMCA and continue working to protect farmers and property owners near Lake Tapps from onerous regulations."

The senator is the chair of the Governmental Operations Committee and pointed out she was a key supporter of I-1185, the two-thirds majority vote requirement to raise taxes.

"Olympia tends to see numbers," Roach said. "I see people."

On education reform and funding, she said, "I know the value of a college or technical education. We need to engage more parents in the process. We need to provide more world language opportunities. We need to fully fund education."

Roach also said she is known for demanding Child Protective Services reforms, and said she has personally helped children remain with qualified biological families.

Roach supports the initiative and referendum process.

"Liberals, conservatives, teachers, seniors, all of us want direct access to making law. Sometimes you can't trust the legislature to do the right thing. That's why I fight to defend the people's right to initiatives and referenda."

The senator began her political career as a citizen activist and worked as chief of staff for King County Councilman Kent Pullen.

Roach and her husband Jim have been married 43 years, have five children and 16 grandchildren.

Roach is the founder of La Escuela de Esperanza, a nonprofit school serving children in Honduras.

Pam Roach has announced she will file for re-election to the State Senate this week. Roach won re-election in 2010 with 67 percent of the vote.

"I want to continue my work to protect taxpayers, defend constitutional liberties, and boost Washington's economic recovery," said Roach. "The concerns of the people are my priorities."

"I want to continue to work with Buckley residents to more firmly establish Rainier School which is under threat of closure. I want to secure additional funding for the new Sumner YMCA, and continue working to protect farmers and property owners near Lake Tapps from onerous regulations.

Roach may be best known for demanding reforms within Child Protective Services. She has personally helped children remain with qualified biological families and her work is well documented in Seattle television reports.

Roach has been endorsed by her Senate Republican Caucus Leadership. "Let me make this statement, " said Senate Republican Campaign Chair, Bruce Dammeier, R, Puyallup, "we are behind Pam. She is the one we are supporting in this race."

She has also been endorsed by Congressman Dave Reichert, and all nine Republicans on the King and Pierce County Councils. "These leaders know my work and my high ethical standards. They are diverse in their positions on issues, but agree in their support of my re-election," said Roach.

Labor and business organizations are also endorsing Roach.

Roach is the only Republican in the state who received the 2014 endorsement of the Washington State Labor Council. "I am very proud to have state employees, Teamsters, pipe fitters, firefighters and laborers endorsing me." Law enforcement is also backing Roach.

Roach, who has a 95% Association of Washington Business voting record, has been endorsed by REALTORS, retailers and numerous industries. "It is clear who business and labor trust to bring back our economy," said Roach.

Roach, Chair of the Governmental Operations Committee, was a key supporter of I-1185, the 2/3 majority vote requirement to raise taxes which passed locally with 72%. "Olympia tends to see numbers," said Roach. "I see people."

As chair, Roach oversees election law and is a protector of the initiative process. "Liberals, conservatives, teachers, seniors, all of us want direct access to making law. Sometimes you can't trust the legislature to do the right thing. That's why I fight to defend the people's right to initiatives and referenda."

Roach is currently leading the review of both the state's Growth Management Act and the Shoreline Management Act. "We can protect the environment as well as protect property usage," said Roach, who noted her reviews are the first in state history. They can be viewed on TVW.org. Many Lake Tapps citizens participated in the SMA hearing.

Roach is a graduate of BYU and has held a teaching certificate. She became a citizen activist and landed a job as Chief of Staff to King County Councilman Kent Pullen where she learned to coalition build and successfully negotiate difficult areas of law.

Jim and Pam Roach have been married for 43 years. They have five children and 16 grandchildren. "I know the value of a college or technical education. We need to engage more parents in the process. We need to provide more world language opportunities. We need to fully fund education," said Roach, whose caucus has led the way in school funding increases.

Roach is the founder of La Escuela de Esperanza, a non profit serving children in Honduras. She has a medical clinic named after her in Puerto Cortez, Honduras. Her website is pamroach.com and she is on Facebook. She can be reached on her home phone, 253-735-4210 or pamroach@comcast.net.

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